Grambling's Exama leads Tigers' defense

Grambling, LA - The Grambling State offense will spend the remaining three-plus weeks of fall camp sorting out who will be the starting quarterback when the Tigers open the season Sept. 3 against Alcorn State in Shreveport.

Defensive coordinator Clifford Yoshida, however, already knows who will handle the leadership role on his defense — senior middle linebacker Cliff Exama. Once a man without a real home on defense, Exama has evolved into a tackling machine and a trusted Yoshida aide.

"I recruited Cliff out of (North Miami Beach) Florida and we always thought he'd be a good football player," Yoshida said. "It's come to fruition."

After bouncing from a standup defensive end to weak side linebacker, Exama, who was lightly recruited out of high school, settled in at middle linebacker and the numbers quickly added up.

READ MORE

Analysis: Five keys to NSU football's preseason

(Photo Courtesy Mark W. Sutton)

1. Develop the offensive line With only one returning starter and one other proven option, the Spartans offensive front could be anywhere from average to atrocious. Tackle Kendall Noble is excellent, and center Michael Kay did well as NSU's utility lineman last year, but one starter is inexperienced, another moved from defense this week and the final spot is up for grabs.

2. Find big-play corners Despite seemingly solid players all over the
defensive side, NSU finished last in the MEAC in interceptions in 2010. Coach Pete Adrian's teams traditionally have won the turnover battle and the defensive backs have been the stars, but last year was an exception. They'll have to find a way to do better while breaking in two new cornerbacks, though the inexperience isn't as glaring as it is on the offensive line.

3. Determine the RB rotation No individual is going to eat up DeAngelo Branche's 25 carries per game. The Spartans must figure out ...

READ MORE

Nathan ready to lead young SCSU Bulldogs’ line

Juavahr Nathan

Orangeburg, S.C. - Buddy Pough put it out there during the summer of 2009.

Juavahr Nathan, the S.C. State head coach insisted, could be the next great Bulldogs' offensive lineman. Standing on Willie E. Jeffries Field early Saturday morning surveying the scene at the Bulldogs' media day, Nathan responded quickly when reminded of what his coach said of him two summers ago.

"I'm nowhere near close (to being the next great lineman)," he said. "I still have a long way to go. I still have more steps to take. I still have some goals I have to reach personally and for the entire offensive line."

That may be so, but the redshirt senior from Stratford High School, a preseason first-team All-MEAC selection and FCS first-team All-America selection by The Sporting News, appears poised to put together one final, stellar campaign for the three-time defending MEAC Champs. At one time weighing as much as 330 pounds, and despite dealing with a knee injury in the offseason, Nathan is down to...

READ MORE

Tallahassee's boxing champ gives FAMU Rattlers a pep talk

Tallahassee, FL - Tavoris Cloud walked to the podium inside the Gallimore Field House and announced to the Florida A&M football team that he'd left his notes home, then proceeded to freestyle his way through a speech that was humorous as much as it was motivational.

Coach Joe Taylor said he invited the undefeated Tallahassee boxer to give the Rattlers some insight Monday night on what it takes to be a champion, as a prelude to the start of practice Wednesday. Cloud holds the IBF version of the world light heavyweight title and FAMU is co-defending MEAC champion.

Cloud talked about his commitment to training, his struggle to become a world champion and how to cope with distractions. He didn't come off as...

READ MORE

Albany State Rams: Climb to the top

Albany, GA - Mike White knows how to build championships, step by sandy step. White, who has coached the Albany State football team to five SIAC titles in the last decade, sat in the bed of his truck as the sun rose early Monday morning, encouraging his players as they ran up and down the famed sand dunes near the ASU football field.

“These dunes have been around for a long time, and we have been running them for a long time,” White reflected. “(The players) are always excited about getting started and excited about coming over, because this is the way we start off each year. Hit the dunes and see what kind of shape we are in.”

It’s a tradition that has cemented itself in the Rams’ program — one that is built on determination and teamwork, which were both on display Monday morning.

“It’s all about coming together as a team, and seeing who is ready to have your back,” junior Justin Blash said as he was catching his breath and brushing sand off his hands.

READ MORE

Division I Runningback Flowers Key for Bowie State

Ramono Flowers
(Courtesy Bowie State Athletics)

Bowie, MD - Following a standout career at Largo High School in Upper Marlboro, Ramono Flowers headed to Central Michigan University to play Division I football.

But after one redshirt season in 2003, Flowers left Central Michigan for personal reasons. His former Central Michigan head coach, Brian Kelly, left for Cincinnati in 2006 and is now the head coach at Notre Dame. Former CMU assistant Butch Jones is now the head coach at Cincinnati.

"I was working for a few years," said Flowers, who worked in the home security business. "I wanted to go out and play [college football], but I did not have the funds" to pay for college.

But then Flowers, who grew up in Largo, ran into Damon Wilson, the head football coach at Division II Bowie State. Flowers grew up playing with the brother of Wilson in a youth league in the Kettering area of Prince George's County.

READ MORE

Maynor confident Winston Salem Rams can run the table

Winston Salem, N.C. - The offseason has been long for coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State. He helped turn the football program around in his first season, taking the Rams to an 8-2 record and keeping them in contention for the CIAA title.

Fans were happy, alumni were thrilled, and wins over rivals N.C. Central and N.C. A&T — both Football Championship Subdivision teams — were icing on the cake. But all the success, after a 1-10 finish the season before he took over, wasn't enough for the ultra-competitive Maynor.

Close losses to Shaw and St. Augustine's left the Rams 11 points short of a perfect regular season and the chance to play for the CIAA championship.



READ MORE